Obituary for Loraine M. Crand (Morris )
Loraine M. Crand (known as Lori) of Suffield transitioned peacefully at St. Francis Hospital on January 6, 2022. She lived her 96 years and 19 days to the fullest, keeping her mind and zesty spirit intact until her passing. A beloved wife, mother, sister, neighbor and friend, she was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on December 19, 1925 to Helen and Leroy Morris. She was predeceased by her brother, James Morris of Norfolk, MA. Lori graduated Gardner High School in 1943, earned a B. S. Degree in Education from Fitchburg Teachers College, Fitchburg, Mass. in 1947 and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Psychological Services from Springfield College in 1966. She also earned a Post Graduate Degree in Psychology several years later. She started her elementary teaching career in Lexington, Massachusetts. It was at that time she met her future husband, John J, Crand, Jr., candy maker by trade and married in July of 1948.
Lori was later employed in the Spectrographic Laboratory at Pratt and Whitney Corp. in East Hartford, CT in the early 1950’s. In 1955 she taught in the Windsor Locks School System. Next, she worked for the Enfield Public School System as an elementary teacher and later as a Guidance Counselor at Kosciuszko and J.F.K. Jr. High Schools, retiring in June of 1989.
Lori was an avid reader, crafter, sewer, clothes designer and great cook. She loved to entertain and her home was filled with people, people and people! She loved to sing and sang in several musical productions including the opera The Mikado. In the early 60’s she chatted over the air waves as a ham radio operator. She and John traveled extensively throughout the United States and explored their ancestral roots in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Greece. She later accompanied her son Jack’s orchestra to Austria and the Czech Republic in the early 2000’s.
Shortly after retirement Lori and John moved to Melbourne, Florida and spent many wonderful years on the Space Coast where they enjoyed the beach, rocket launches and making new Florida friends. Lori and John attended the Ascension Catholic Church and the UNITY CHURCH of Melbourne where Lori continued to explore her love of spirituality and self-growth.
Lori was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her 2 children. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter, Candace Crand Aleks and husband Ben of Somers, CT and son John (Jack) J. Crand, III and his partner Matthew Poltorak of Canton, CT ; Granddaughter Jennifer Aleks MacDonald and husband Bryan of Longmeadow, MA ; Great Grandchildren, Sarah, Sean and Paul MacDonald of Longmeadow, MA ; 3 brothers-in-law Richard Crand of Austin, TX , Robert Crand (Nancy) of Somers and David Crand (Judy) of Hilton Head, S.C.; Cousins Molly Gilmartin and Barbara , The Murphy Girl Clan of Gardner, MA and newly found Cousin Patsy Boisvert of Poughkeepsie, New York. She also leaves, many nieces and nephews and her dearest friends Bonnie Stevens, Maggie Roche of Melbourne, Nancy Stoll, Nancy Dyer, Sandy Salius, Barbara Grinuk, Shirley Van Allen of Suffield Commons and Roberta Nestor of New Milford, CT.
Lori’s family would like to express their gratitude to Tosheira Ross, Thayna Alicea, Candace Buswell, and Terry Clark of Companions and Homemakers in Enfield for their loving care, Dr. George Anastasio of Suffield Medical Associates, Dr. Kory Tray of Starling Physicians, Dr. Andrew Davidson of Central CT Cardiology and Dr. Laura Vander Pol and Robin of Podiatry Care of Enfield for their wonderful, empathetic care. Additional thanks to Dr. Dhar, nurses Carlie Cassells and Andrea Dewey, and Beth Esstman, Palliative Care at St. Francis Hospital for their tender respect and comfort care.
There will be no funeral services at this time due to Covid/Omicron and weather concerns. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE will be held at UNITY CHURCH of GREATER HARTFORD in South Windsor, CT on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Memorial donations in Lori’s memory may be made to The Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra C/O Kathy Fine, CVSO Treasurer, 14 Vinlen Dr. Windsor, CT 06095 or The Hospital for Special Care Foundation, Neuromuscular Fund, 2150 Corbin Ave. New Britain, CT 06053.
Lori was later employed in the Spectrographic Laboratory at Pratt and Whitney Corp. in East Hartford, CT in the early 1950’s. In 1955 she taught in the Windsor Locks School System. Next, she worked for the Enfield Public School System as an elementary teacher and later as a Guidance Counselor at Kosciuszko and J.F.K. Jr. High Schools, retiring in June of 1989.
Lori was an avid reader, crafter, sewer, clothes designer and great cook. She loved to entertain and her home was filled with people, people and people! She loved to sing and sang in several musical productions including the opera The Mikado. In the early 60’s she chatted over the air waves as a ham radio operator. She and John traveled extensively throughout the United States and explored their ancestral roots in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Greece. She later accompanied her son Jack’s orchestra to Austria and the Czech Republic in the early 2000’s.
Shortly after retirement Lori and John moved to Melbourne, Florida and spent many wonderful years on the Space Coast where they enjoyed the beach, rocket launches and making new Florida friends. Lori and John attended the Ascension Catholic Church and the UNITY CHURCH of Melbourne where Lori continued to explore her love of spirituality and self-growth.
Lori was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her 2 children. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter, Candace Crand Aleks and husband Ben of Somers, CT and son John (Jack) J. Crand, III and his partner Matthew Poltorak of Canton, CT ; Granddaughter Jennifer Aleks MacDonald and husband Bryan of Longmeadow, MA ; Great Grandchildren, Sarah, Sean and Paul MacDonald of Longmeadow, MA ; 3 brothers-in-law Richard Crand of Austin, TX , Robert Crand (Nancy) of Somers and David Crand (Judy) of Hilton Head, S.C.; Cousins Molly Gilmartin and Barbara , The Murphy Girl Clan of Gardner, MA and newly found Cousin Patsy Boisvert of Poughkeepsie, New York. She also leaves, many nieces and nephews and her dearest friends Bonnie Stevens, Maggie Roche of Melbourne, Nancy Stoll, Nancy Dyer, Sandy Salius, Barbara Grinuk, Shirley Van Allen of Suffield Commons and Roberta Nestor of New Milford, CT.
Lori’s family would like to express their gratitude to Tosheira Ross, Thayna Alicea, Candace Buswell, and Terry Clark of Companions and Homemakers in Enfield for their loving care, Dr. George Anastasio of Suffield Medical Associates, Dr. Kory Tray of Starling Physicians, Dr. Andrew Davidson of Central CT Cardiology and Dr. Laura Vander Pol and Robin of Podiatry Care of Enfield for their wonderful, empathetic care. Additional thanks to Dr. Dhar, nurses Carlie Cassells and Andrea Dewey, and Beth Esstman, Palliative Care at St. Francis Hospital for their tender respect and comfort care.
There will be no funeral services at this time due to Covid/Omicron and weather concerns. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE will be held at UNITY CHURCH of GREATER HARTFORD in South Windsor, CT on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Memorial donations in Lori’s memory may be made to The Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra C/O Kathy Fine, CVSO Treasurer, 14 Vinlen Dr. Windsor, CT 06095 or The Hospital for Special Care Foundation, Neuromuscular Fund, 2150 Corbin Ave. New Britain, CT 06053.